Narrow Air Showers of Cosmic Rays

Abstract

Observations are reported of the decoherence curves for air showers of cosmic rays at sea level, 1640 meters and 3510 meters elevation. The variation of the decoherence curves with counter area and the absorption of narrow showers were also measured at the highest elevation. It was found that narrow showers (that is, showers observed at small counter separations) differ from ordinary extensive air showers with respect to variation with elevation, variation with area of the counters, and penetrating power. Consideration of the effects of pressure on the spreading function show that the altitude variation cannot be taken as a certain indication that narrow showers differ in nature from extensive ones, nor can the variation with counter area. The relative penetration, however, of narrow showers in lead, iron, and aluminum cannot be explained except by differences in the nature of the particles involved.